RODNEY ACALA FIGHTS EXTRADITION TO NEW YORK

Rodney Acala was convicted of killing four women and a young girl in California and was sentenced to death. He is now fighting extradition to New York where he faces two more murder cases. He says he needs to stay in California to prepare his appeal. The claim may be unique but he may have reasonable grounds for his request. He served as his own attorney in the murder trials and therefore he is the only one who can review the transcript and prepare for certification of the transcript. In a death penalty case this is a major task. It may require any number of court appearance which may be difficult to accomplish if he is extradited to New York.

Also of interest is why does New York want him back to try him for two murders that happened over thirty years ago. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says he wants Acala back in order to obtain justice. This is a rather vague and meaningless claim. But there are reasons. What happens if Acala wins his appeal. ¹It may take ten years and by then any witnesses to the 1970′s New York murders may be dead.

But in the end the Vance needs to balance his desire to prosecute Acala against the cost and the resources necessary to prosecute a 68 year old man who is likely to spend the rest of his life in a California prison fighting the death penalty.